Functional rewiring of the stroke brain revealed by connectivity gradients

Stroke affects specific parts of the brain; however, its impact extends much further, altering how undamaged regions communicate across the entire brain.

This method describes broad patterns of functional connectivity across the brain. We used this approach in stroke survivors with varying language abilities. This method captured how the spared brain regions reorganised to support language functions.

We discovered that changes in a specific brain region’s functional profile improved speech but affected writing. Identifying which brain adaptations help or hinder recovery could ultimately support clinicians in designing better targeted therapies to restore language function after a stroke.

Publication

Balakrishnan R, Gonzalez Alam TRJ, Leech R, Price CJ, Jefferies E. Reorganisation of Functional Connectivity Gradients in Post-Stroke Aphasia.

Lead researcher

Professor Elizabeth Jefferies, Department of Psychology